The findings by deVilliers et al. regarding the prevalence of HPV 6 and HPV 11 in both breast tumor tissue and nipples is interesting. The finding by deVilliers et al that HPV 11 was the most prevalent type and that it was detected in 19 carcinomas and 8 nipples may be evidence that HPV 11 is a high risk type for certain types of carcinomas. HPV 11 in patients with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) has not only been been found to be a predictor of aggressive disease, but has also been documented to be associated with pulmonary malignancy in patients with RRP. Future studies may be more revealing in the association of HPV 11 and malignancies.
Low risk HPV types and malignancy
2 February 2005
The findings by deVilliers et al. regarding the prevalence of HPV 6 and HPV 11 in both breast tumor tissue and nipples is interesting. The finding by deVilliers et al that HPV 11 was the most prevalent type and that it was detected in 19 carcinomas and 8 nipples may be evidence that HPV 11 is a high risk type for certain types of carcinomas. HPV 11 in patients with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) has not only been been found to be a predictor of aggressive disease, but has also been documented to be associated with pulmonary malignancy in patients with RRP. Future studies may be more revealing in the association of HPV 11 and malignancies.
Competing interests
None declared